Gang Gang Dance have been awarded a slice of the publishing royalties from Florence & The Machine's "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up") after British fans of the New York band alerted them to similarities to their 2008 track "House Jam" (below).

The problem seems to have been that Florence Welch - who described herself as a "massive fan" of the band and who said she'd talked about their influence in interviews - didn't "raise it up" quite loudly enough when paying "homage".

Speaking to BBC 6 Music about the case, lead singer Liz Bougatsos explained...


“If she would have mentioned it in the beginning, in the press, which we never saw, that would have definitely made a difference... and if she was speaking of an homage at that point, that would have helped as well."

“I’m happy now for sure. I think I was annoyed in the beginning because other people’s reactions were affecting the way I was thinking about it - it’s not a natural way for me to come out at somebody. I hope there’s no hard feelings.”

“I don’t really have a problem with people wearing their influences on their sleeve. As an entertainer that’s probably a just way to serve the people that listen to your music. If we heard her admit it in the press it would probably have made a difference and not made us feel bad about it."

“I believe that we’ll receive some sort of monetary compensation for the similarities in the song and the actual lyrics and style, and I think Florence is happy to do that and that’s fine, that feels pretty good.”


So the lesson seems to be, if you're going to pay homage to one of your favourite bands, raise it up loud and clear and collect any fawning quotes you make in a handy press-clippings scrapbook. Maybe get your mum to put one together while you're out on the road doing interviews. Some mothers do this anyway. Just instruct her to keep any potentially useful 'homage' chatter, it could save you a bundle down the track.

If it's any consolation to Welch, she is in good company. John Lennon paid "homage" to Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me" on "Come Together" and was later forced to settle with the rights owner. And when Kanye West paid "homage" to Evel Knievel in his "Touch The Sky" video he ended up paying out to the stunt ledge who accused him of lewdly debasing his name. Somewhat surprisingly, West and the stunt ledge also set an example in how to ensure there are "no hard feelings" in such a case, with the rapper later making a pilgrimage to Evel's lair and the duo getting to know each other. "I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman," remarked the paid-up Knieivel.

Maybe Gang Gang Dance's shit-stirring British fans should use their power for good and suggest a GGD/F&TM collaboration? Just a thought.